Avaricio launches drive for 4th crown

GEN. TRIAS, Cavite – Chanelle Avaricio sets out for another title crack with a form that continues to get better over time, poised to re-assert her mastery over a field she had dominated the last time out in the ICTSI Eagle Ridge at Aoki Invitational, which reels off today (Tuesday) here.

With Princess Superal opting to strike out her name in the roster for a much-needed rest following a grueling campaign in Thailand LPGA, Avaricio faces practically the same set of rivals she trounced on her way to posting an imposing sixstroke triumph in the Pradera Verde Ladies Classic last month.

That was her third victory in the last five Ladies Philippine Golf Tour events, counting her playoff win over Superal at Hallow Ridge and a one-stroke escape over Chihiro

Ikeda at Caliraya Springs, easily making her the player to beat in the 54-hole championship put up by ICTSI, which doubled this week’s prize fund to P1.5 million.

But she expects a stiffer challenge this time, particularly from Harmie Constantino, who is hoping to cash in on her own good run of form on a course where she reigned twice on her way to claiming the Order of Merit title right on her rookie season last year.